Thursday, June 09, 2005

Indiscriminate

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – One U.S. service member was killed and eight others were wounded today in a mortar attack at a forward operating base near Shkin as personnel were preparing to unload supplies from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

The wounded service members were transported to medical facilities at Bagram, Salerno , and Orgun-E for medical care.

Coalition attack aircraft responded to the scene but were unable to locate the insurgents.

“This is a tragic loss for all of us. A U.S. service member has paid the ultimate price for freedom, giving his life so that others might live in a nation free of tyranny and oppression,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James G. Champion, Combined Joint Task Force-76’s deputy commanding general for operations. “Our hearts and our prayers go out to the family and our thoughts are with those who were wounded in this attack. This incident will only strengthen our resolve and commitment to this mission.”

The name of the dead service member is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.